Tuesday, June 23, 2009

SUBWAY TRAINS COLLIDE


This latest -and tragic - episode of subway mishap underlines the foolishness of the Washington, D.C., government in attacking cars to force huge numbers of workers to utilize subways and buses. Not only is this subway system inherently limited in its capacity to "haul people," but the bus system is also inherently limited. Although the idiots running Washington, D.C. (and advising this leadership) believe that the use of bicycles and jogging will take up the slack left by rail and bus inadequacy, there is no means of conveyance that can replace automobiles. Use of motorcycles and motor scooters can provide a useful alternate for some. Most people will require a car. They may pool vehicles.

Given this reality - and it is a reality, if Washington is to remain well-populated, one would think that the mayor & council would start the necessary process of going vertical. However, the "robber baron" mentality of the leadership of Washington, D.C., makes any practical plan stillborn by the heavy burden of taxes which they inevitably levy.

These are certainly not the first para-tyrants to envision grandiose schemes for their city. Typically, their "visions" eventually require slaves to complete the labor, as no one would do the work for the hire. Where workers "net" only blisters, which of them will long remain a worker? Hence, they must be compelled by armed force.

Mayor Fenty has a complete scheme for the Southeast Waterfront. Marvelous buildings, entertainment facilities, housing, et al, will enliven as well as grace beloved Washington. Every restaurant will be five-stars, and there will be a bunch. Great chefs from all around the world will be gathered to operate these restaurants. Luxury yachts from around the world will - swanlike - patrol the enchanting waterfront. There will be many new jobs created by these restaurants. Newspapers and television stations will send a plague of "food critics" to daily consider the fare proffered. All their grading systems will be different and obscure.

Who's going to pay for all this development? For the most part only those that get a "tax break" from the leadership of Washington. Once they build the structures and open for business, who is going to pay for their goods and services?

One "natural" is the horde of overpaid consultants advising Mayor Fenty, President Obama, and anyone else who can "pass the check." Assisting them will be the horde of lawyers that assist government to squeeze money out of whoever has it. They'll naturally want a luxury condominium overlooking the revitalized Anacostia River. Such construction will naturally bring in a horde of lobbyist trying to get a cut of Fenty's Tenderloin District. Older Gay Washingtonians, wealthy from urban pioneering, may choose to transfer their shanks to the glistening new face of Washington. ["One gets so tired of the puke and stench of Georgetown and Dupont Circle."]

If the Iranian government is overturned, Mayor Fenty may offer asylum to those wealthy members of the fallen regime ("refugees?"), who no doubt have "bagged" a bunch of oil loot.

In short there are some well-funded individuals out there. Perhaps wealthy athletes may decide to move into Mayor Fenty's wonderland. If athletes, why not entertainers. If President Obama and Mayor Fenty used their vision and their charm, maybe Hollywood film moguls and stars might purchase a luxury unit.

All rich people need servants. There would be a boom in servitude.

Therefore, with such marvelous prospects for the future "makeover" of Southeast Washington, why should the leadership of Washington, D.C. tolerate (hateful word!) automobile drivers? The only way they can be rationalized by the leadership's high-priced advisers is if they will submit to a heavy commuter tax. "If you want to play, then you got to pay!" chortle the mayor and the council.

The problem is that most of them don't go to Washington to play; they go to work.

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